The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The central authorities have mandated a prohibition on the trade and reproduction of twenty-three aggressive dog varieties, such as the Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler, and Mastiffs, in response to escalating fatalities from domestic dog assaults. This mandate, conveyed to both states and Union Territories, restricts ownership of these dog breeds.
A communication dispatched on March 12 to the chief secretaries of all states and UTs by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying stipulates that existing pets of these breeds must undergo sterilization to halt further propagation. This decision follows alarming reports of fatalities caused by bites from certain vicious dog breeds maintained as pets, prompting calls from the public, civic groups, and Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) for a prohibition on harboring certain dog breeds for companionship or other uses.
An expert committee, established by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and led by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner with representation from diverse stakeholders and specialists, was tasked to examine these appeals. The committee designated 23 dog varieties, including mixed and cross breeds, as aggressive and hazardous to human safety. Among the breeds recommended for exclusion are Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, and Caucasian Shepherd Dog, along with other breeds such as South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiffs, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf Dogs, Canario, Akbash Dog, Moscow Guard Dog, Cane Corso, and Bandog.
The directive emphasizes that these dog breeds, including their crossbreeds, are forbidden from being imported, bred, sold as pets, or utilized for other purposes, reflecting the expert panel’s recommendations. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has instructed local authorities and state animal husbandry departments to withhold any licenses or permits for trading or breeding the prohibited dog breeds. Moreover, the central department has highlighted the Prevention of Cruelty to the Animal (Dog Breeding and Marketing) rules of 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (pet shop) rules of 2018, entrusting their enforcement to local entities, state animal welfare boards, and the Department of Animal Husbandry itself, as stated by the Joint Secretary, O P Chaudhary, in the official letter.